Line weight for old bamboo fly rods

Question
Mac:  
I am no expert on fly rods of any type.  I just picked up two bamboo fly rods in excellent condition.  I paid $50 for both of them in what appears to be their original four section cloth cases.  They are three piece rods with extra tips so each has four sections.  They are straight and perfect in every way, all sections the same length, just a bit of corrosion on the reel seats, and one rod has a missing snake guide, that is all.  I would like to know what weight line I should use for them.
One rod is a Wright and McGill Granger Special with nickel silver reel seat.  The reel seat is stamped Pat APR 12 1938 Pat No 2114107 and MADE BY WRIGHT & McGILL ROD CO.  DENVER COLO. USA  The rod is 9 feet long and I can see no other markings on it.
The other rod is a Sport King M/30, with a chrome plated reel seat that screws down toward the butt.  It is 8 1/2 feet long.  The reel seat is unmarked and I can see no other markings on the rod except a stylized horozontal 8 above Sport King.  I cannot be sure it is a number.  It may be some sort of trademark.
Anything you can tell me about these rods in addition to the best line weights/types to use with them would be greatly appreciated.
Phil

Answer
Phillip,

Just an observation, but the most misunderstood concept in bamboo rods is condition. For example how could your rods be in excellent condition or perfect in every way, if has just a bit of corrosion on the reel seats, and a missing snake guide. I think I know what you mean, they are good enough to use, but condition is at best, 'Good' going by the description you gave me.

Line Weight:
The Special is probably a 6 weight, while the Sport King might be 5 weight. People fished with bamboo tools similar to ours today. Most of them are 6 weights.

However , they did used smaller diameter line. If you are going to replace a guide, replace them all with bigger guides . It will cast and shoot larger diameter modern lines better.

Other information:
I assume you want value and history.

Wright& McGill still in business:
http://www.wright-mcgill.com/

owned by Eagle Claw, see history of Wright %26 McGill and Goodwin Granger:
http://www.eagleclaw.com/site/about-us/history

Registry of serial numbers for Granger thanks to Mike Clark :
http://www.southcreekltd.com/granger/

Value - price book:
Antique & Collectable Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide Homel, Dan. 1997 #2nd edition 2000# add about 30% for age of book.

Homel gives the Wright and McGill Granger 9'  model Special , with an extra tip, 3 sections the  value of  $65, 155 and $285 for poor, good, excellent condition respectively. Homel gives a detailed analysis of condition. It is observation but not subjective or arbitrary. You should probably find this book at the library.

Sport King
Isn't in the books and is not very collectable , not going to resale for much. You probably paid too much for it but the Granger was a great deal, so all in all, it evens out. It was sold by Montgomery Wards. Probably made by Horrocks - Ibbotson Co., a low quality low price outfit.

Luck,
Mac

Please provide feedback, nominations are appreciated.



Luck,
Mac

Please provide feedback, nominations are appreciated.